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Entek Xscape Membranes win R&D Magazine Award
01 Aug '08
2 min read
ENTEK Membranes LLC was recently recognized as a top innovator by R&D Magazine for its technology in the field of waterproof breathable membranes for the outdoor garment industry. ENTEK's product, Xscape Membranes, was selected by an independent judging panel and the editors of the magazine as one of the most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace over the past year.
ENTEK designed Xscape Membranes to address consumers' growing understanding that most waterproof breathable garments currently in the market actually “breathe” less than they should, and are therefore not comfortable.
“Almost all of the existing waterproof garments need to be moist on the inside to transmit moisture, or sweat, through the breathable coating or membrane,” said Steve Gerts, Sales and Marketing Manager. “The technology behind Xscape Membranes addresses that issue, allowing higher volumes of moisture vapor to escape to the air directly, eliminating that clammy feel consumers experience on the inside of current waterproof garments.”
The resulting product is a new, low-cost, hydropohobic, and oleophobic membrane with interconnected micropores that is more comfortable to wear.
The ENTEK R&D team overcame considerable obstacles during the product development process. Dr. Rick Pekala, Dr. Srinivas Cherukupalli and Dan Lee perfected a proprietary technology to achieve washability while maintaining an open pore structure for high breathability — an effort most other companies have been unable to accomplish.
“There is a high level of interest for a truly 'breathable' waterproof membrane” said Gerts. “In fact, a number of internationally branded retailers have already expressed interest for their technical outerwear product lines.”
Indeed, ENTEK is currently working with laminators in Taiwan, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa and the USA to make sure Xscape Membranes fit easily into the supply chain network of fabric sellers, seam sealers, garment makers and branded retailers that make up the outdoor garment industry.
ENTEK Membranes LLC is a privately held company in Lebanon, Ore. that currently produces TEKLON Battery Separators: thin, microporous polymeric films that are used to separate the electrodes in lithium-based, batteries. Its sister company, ENTEK International LLC, produces RhinoHide battery separators for automotive starter batteries.
ENTEK designed Xscape Membranes to address consumers' growing understanding that most waterproof breathable garments currently in the market actually “breathe” less than they should, and are therefore not comfortable.
“Almost all of the existing waterproof garments need to be moist on the inside to transmit moisture, or sweat, through the breathable coating or membrane,” said Steve Gerts, Sales and Marketing Manager. “The technology behind Xscape Membranes addresses that issue, allowing higher volumes of moisture vapor to escape to the air directly, eliminating that clammy feel consumers experience on the inside of current waterproof garments.”
The resulting product is a new, low-cost, hydropohobic, and oleophobic membrane with interconnected micropores that is more comfortable to wear.
The ENTEK R&D team overcame considerable obstacles during the product development process. Dr. Rick Pekala, Dr. Srinivas Cherukupalli and Dan Lee perfected a proprietary technology to achieve washability while maintaining an open pore structure for high breathability — an effort most other companies have been unable to accomplish.
“There is a high level of interest for a truly 'breathable' waterproof membrane” said Gerts. “In fact, a number of internationally branded retailers have already expressed interest for their technical outerwear product lines.”
Indeed, ENTEK is currently working with laminators in Taiwan, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa and the USA to make sure Xscape Membranes fit easily into the supply chain network of fabric sellers, seam sealers, garment makers and branded retailers that make up the outdoor garment industry.
ENTEK Membranes LLC is a privately held company in Lebanon, Ore. that currently produces TEKLON Battery Separators: thin, microporous polymeric films that are used to separate the electrodes in lithium-based, batteries. Its sister company, ENTEK International LLC, produces RhinoHide battery separators for automotive starter batteries.
ENTEK International LLC
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